Securing apparatus for a dropside crib

ABSTRACT

A connector element secured to a crib dropside and slidable on an elongated base element secured in a vertical position to a crib end, a latch pin on the connector element and having a headed end adapted to project through a keyhole in the base element. This pin fits in the slot portion of the keyhole when the crib side is secured in the up position. In order to move the dropside downwardly relative to the crib, the dropside has to be raised to move the latch pin out of the slot so that the pin head can be withdrawn through the large portion of the keyhole. The latch pin is biased towards the base element, and lock means is provided for normally holding the pin in the slot.

[ July 29, 1975 SECURING APPARATUS FOR A DROPSIDE CRIB [76] Inventor: Morris Feldstein, 782 W. 52nd Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6P 1G6 22 Filed: July 1, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 484,874

3,641,598 2/1972 Feldstein....; 5/100 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmFetherstonhaugh & Co.

57 ABSTRACT A connector element secured to a crib dropside and slidable on an elongated base element secured in a vertical position to a crib end, a latch pin on the connector element and having a headed end adapted to project through a keyhole in the base element. This pin fits in the slot portion of the keyhole when the crib side is secured in the up position. in order to move the dropside downwardly relative to the crib, the dropside has to be raised to move the latch pin out of the slot so that the pin head can be withdrawn through the large portion of the keyhole. The latch pin is biased towards the base element, and lock means is provided for normally holding the pin in the slot.

15 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JUL29 i975 SHEET SECURING APPARATUS FOR A DROPSIDE CRIB This invention relates to dropside cribs and particularly to apparatus for securing the sides of the cribs firmly in position without screws or other similar fastening means.

Dropside cribs are well known, but most of the prior cribs require screws or similar fastening means for securing the various elements together. Most cribs today are delivered to the purchasers in knocked-down condition, and it usually is difficult to assemble the various parts, and to hold them in position while screws are inserted and tightened. This also requires tools for the job. Today many people are not equipped to assemble cribs.

Another disadvantage of the prior cribs is that many of them become loose when subjected to the usual activity of young children in them. The looseness causes a crib to be noisy when a child jumps in it or otherwise treats it rather roughly, and such a crib is often dangerous. In some prior cribs, the child can release the dropside, making it possible for the child to fall out.

A crib in accordance with the present invention can be quickly and easily assembled without the use of any tools. The two sides of the crib are secured and clamped to the crib ends so that the various parts are tightly held together, and there is very little likeihood of them becoming loose during use of the crib. The crib can have two dropsides, or as is more common, it can have one dropside and one fixed side. In this case, the fixed side is wedged to the crib ends so that this side and the ends are very firmly secured together. Each end of the dropside is slidably secured to an adjacent crib end by an arrangement that permits the dropside to move up and down freely, and yet can be very firmly clamped in either the up or down position. This securing apparatus also is such that for the child in the crib to release the dropside, he would not only have to release the clamp mechanism, but he would have to lift the dropside and at the same time draw latching pins out of their normal latching positions. It is practically impossible for a young child to do this.

Securing apparatus according to this invention comprises an elongated base element to be secured in a vertical position to a crib end near a side thereof. Alternatively, this base element and the corner post of the crib end can be molded in one piece, if desired. The securing apparatus also includes a connector element to be secured to a movable crib side and slidably connected to the base element, a keyhole in the base element and formed with a narrow slot extending downwardly from a relatively large opening, a bore in the connector element substantially normal to the base element and positioned to be aligned with the keyhole, a latch pin extending through said bore and having a head on an inner end thereof adapted to pass through said opening, said pin fitting in said slot when the connector element is moved downwardly after the head has been moved through the keyhole opening, and means biasing the pin in the direction of the base element.

The securing apparatus preferably includes cam means between the knob and the connector element and adapted to draw the pin head against the base ele ment upon rotation of the knob in one direction while the pin is positioned in the keyhole slot. In addition, an elongated track is adapted to be secured to or formed with the crib end below and substantially in line with the;base element, and a slide element secured to the crib side below the connector element is slidably connected to this track.

When the crib has a fixed side, the securing apparatus of this invention includes a base to be mounted on or formed with the crib end near the side thereof remote from thedropside, said base having a wedgedshaped socket-therein. A wedge to be secured to the second crib side is adapted to be inserted in this socket and fits snugly therein when the crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure the side thereto.

Examples of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a reduced diagrammatic view of a crib having a dropside and a fixed side with the securing apparatus. of this invention connecting these to the crib ends,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, showing an end of the crib in elevation and with the dropside and the fixed side removed,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and including part of the dropside,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2, and including part of the dropside,

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a framentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2, and including part of the fixed side,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2, and including part of the fixed side,

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken on the line 9-9 of H07,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a support secured to the crib end for a bail connected to the mattress support of the crib,

FIG. 11 is a horizontal section taken on the line 11l1 of FIG. 10, and

FIG. 12 is a reduced plan view of an alternative form of the invention in which the securing apparatus is molded with corner posts of the crib end.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, 10 is a crib having ,a dropside 11, a fixed side 12, and two opposite ends 13. Dropside 12 has upper and lower rails 14 and 15, side 12 has upper and lower rails 16 and 17, and each end 13 has end posts 18 and 19. This type of crib has a flat mattress support which is carried by bail means at opposite ends thereof and which are removably secured to the crib ends. The mattress support and bail means have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

As the securing apparatus of this invention is duplicated at opposite ends of the crib, the apparatus at one end only will now be described in detail.

The illustrated securing apparatus in accordance with this invention includes a vertical base element 20 secured to end post 18 near the upper e'ndthereof, a connector element 23 secured to dropside l1 at'upper rail 14 thereof and slidable on the base element, a vertical track 26 mounted on post 18 below and in line with base element 20, a slide element 29'fixed to the dropside at the lower rail 15 thereof and slidable on the track, and an elongated verticcal support 32 mounted on-the crib post in line with and between the base element and the track.

For a crib having a fixed side 12, the securing apparatus of this invention includes a wedge unit 35 at the top rail 16 and similar unit 35a at bottom rail 17 of said side. A bail support 32a is mounted on end post 19 between the upper and lower wedge units.

FIGS. 2 and 6 illustrate the securing apparatus of the dropside in detail. The base element 20 consists of an elongated member 40 having side walls 41 and 42, and a front wall 43 which spans the side walls and projects laterally therefrom, see FIG. 5. The member 40 is secured to end post 18 by suitable fastening means, such as screws 45. An upper keyhole 47 is formed in wall 43 and is spaced a little downwardly from the upper end thereof. This keyhole is formed with a slot 48 extending downwardly from an enlarged hole portion 49. Although not absolutely necessary, it is preferable to provide front wall 43 with a vertical ramp 52 at the keyhole and which is inclined inwardly of said wall in a downward direction, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. Keyhole 47 is formed in this ramp. It is also preferable to provide a lower keyhole 54 in front wall 43 spaced above the lower end thereof, said keyhole being identical with keyhole 47, and preferably located in a downwardly and inwardly inclined ramp 55 formed in the front wall.

Connector element 23 is in the form of a vertical slide 59 slidably mounted on and shaped to fit around the side edges of front wall 43 of base member 40, see FIG. 5. Slide 59 is mounted on the upper rail 14 of dropside 11 by suitable securing means, such as a screw 60.

A boss 63 is circular cross-section is formed on slide 59 near the lower end thereof and projects outwardly therefrom beneath rail 14, and a knob 64 is rotatably mounted on this boss. In this example, cam means is provided between knob 64 and slide 59 of the connector element to cause the knob to move axially of the boss during rotation thereon. For this purpose, boss 63 is formed with an inwardly facing cam surface 65, while the knob is formed with an outwardly facing and matching cam surface 66. When the knob is rotated on the boss, these cam surfaces cause the knob to move axially on the boss.

Boss 63 is formed with a bore 70 which is substantially normal to base element 20, and a pin 71 extends centrally through this bore, the outer end 72 of this pin being connected to knob 64, and the inner end of the pin being formed with a head 73 thereon. A spring 74 in bore 70 bears at one end against a plug 75 closing the outer end of the bore, and at its opposite end against an inner head 77 formed on the pin and spaced from its outer head 73. This spring normally biases the pin in the direction of the base element. Head 73 is small enough to pass through the enlarged portion 49 of keyhole 47, and pin 71 fits in slot 48 when the crib side is in its normal elevated position,

FIG. 3 shows dropside 11 in its normal position and locked therein by connector element 23. In order to lower the dropside, it is necessary to lift it upwardly to align head 73 with the hole enlargement 49 of the keyhole and then to draw the head outwardly through the enlargement by pulling knob 64 outwardly. On the other hand, when pin 71 is in the keyhole slot and knob 64 is rotated, cam surfaces 65 and 66 cause head 73 to be drawn against the inner surface of ramp 52 to lock the connector element in position on base element 20. At this time, inner head 77 is positioned against the outer surface of the ramp so that any effort to raise the dropside is resisted by the inclined outer surface of the ramp which bears against the inner head at this time. In order to release the crib side, it is only necessary to rotate knob 64 in the opposite direction, and then to lift the side enough to align head 73 with the enlargement of the keyhole so that the head can be drawn therethrough into bore and clear of the front wall 43 of the base element. As the dropside is moved downwardly, the knob can be released since head 73 will bear against and slide along the outer surface of wall 43 until the head comes into alignment with the enlargement of keyhole 54, at which time spring 74 will urge the head through the keyhole so that pin 71 will drop into the slot of this keyhole. The knob can be turned to tighten the connector element and, consequently, the crib side in this position.

As stated above, slide element 29 is slidably mounted on track 26, see FIGS. 2 and 4. This track is connected to end post 18 by suitable connectors, such as screws 80, while slide element 29 is connected to the lower rail 15 of dropside 11 by suitable securing means, such as a screw 83.

Stop means is provided near the lower end of the track 26, for example, a stop is located at the front surface of track 26 near the lower end thereof, and is normally biased outwardly relative to said surface, see FIG. 4. In this example, track 26 is formed of a suitable plastic material, and stop 85 is integrally connected with the track by a strip 86 of this material, which is resilient. Stop 85 is formed with an outer inclined surface 87, this surface being inclined upwardly and outwardly, as clearly shown in FIG. 4.

If desired, the stop means for track 26 may be a U- shaped stop clip 88 fitted over the edge 89 at the lower end of the opening 89a in track 26, said clip being shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. This clip is placed on edge 89 after connector element 23 has been moved on to track 26 from the lower end thereof.

Support 32 is secured to end post 18 by screws or the like, and it has a plurality of vertically-spaced notches 90 therein into which the ends of a mattress support bail can be inserted, a portion of one of these bails 91 being shown in broken lines in FIGS. 10 and 11.

By referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that there is a space 93 between the lower end of base element 20 and the upper end of support 32. The distance between the lower end of the base element and the lower end of track 26 is substantially the same as the distance be tween connector 23 and slide element 29 so that when dropside 11 is to be connected to crib end 13, the connector element is moved into space 93 and into line with the lower end of base element 20 when slide element 29 is moved into alignment with the lower end of track 26. The side is now moved upwardly so that the connector element rides on the base element while the slide element rides on the track. As the crib side is drawn upwardly, slide element 29 engages the inclined surface 87 of stop 85 to depress the stop so that the side element can moved up the track. When the slide element clears the stop, the latter springs outwardly so that the slide element cannot be moved downwardly off the track unless someone depresses stop 85.

By referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that member'40 and track 26 are similar male track elements', and that slide 59 and slide 29 are similar female slidee'lements riding on the track elements. It is obvious, however, that the tracks can be formed as female elements and the slides as male elements, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 2, 7 and 9 illustrate wedge unit 35 in detail. Unit 35 includes a base 100 mounted on end port 19 by suitable securing means, such as a screw 101. This base is formed with a wedge shaped socket 103 therein having a base 104. A wedge 106 is secured to the upper rail 16 of crib side 12 by a screw 107 or the like. This wedge is shaped to move downwardly in and fit snugly within socket 103 while spaced above base 104 thereof, see FIG. 7. It will be noted that base 100 with its socket 103 and wedge 106 are relatively long so that when the wedge fits within the pocket, the crib side 12 is firmly secured to end post 19.

The lower wedge unit 350, see FIG. 8, may be identical with wedge unit 35 or, as shown, base 100a of unit 35a may have an extension 110 projecting downwardly therefrom and secured to post 19 by a screw 111 or the like. A notch 115 is formed in the extension 110 and is adapted to receive an end of bail 91. This enables the bail to be positioned well down in the crib. If this notch 1 15 is provided, it is necessary to provide a corresponding notch 117 in the side of track 26, see FIGS. 2 and 4, opposite socket 115 to receive the opposite end of the bail at this level.

In order to connect fixed side 12 to an end 13, it is only necessary to drop wedges 106 of the upper and lower wedge units 35 and 35a into the adjacent socket 103 of the bases 100 and 100a, and then to press the side downwardly. The two wedges jamb in their respective sockets, and form a strong and rigid connection between the crib side and crib end. The length of the wedges and their sockets provide relatively large bearing surfaces at the upper and lower edges of the crib side so as to prevent any relative movement between these elements as a result of a young child jumping up and down on the mattress of the crib.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variation of this invention. An alternative crib end 120 has tubular corner posts 121 and 122 formed of suitable plastic material. The base element 20, support 32 and track 26 are molded with post 121, base element 20 being shown in this FIG. Similarly, the bases 100 and 100a of wedge units 35 and 35a are molded with post 122. The upper base 100 is shown in this Figure.

When a purchaser of a crib 10 receives the crib in knocked-down condition, all he has to do is slip the wedges of side 12 into their respective sockets on the two ends 13 and then press the side firmly downwardly. Following this, he leads connectors 23 at opposite ends of dropside 11 on to base elements 20, and slide elements 29 on to tracks 26 and then moves the side upwardly until slide elements clear stops 85. As the dropside is moved towards its uppermost position, head 73 of each connector will automatically enter the adjacent keyhole 47, and when the side is released, pin 71 drops into the slot of the keyhole. Following this, each knob 64 is turned to clamp its connector element to the base element. As this clamping action is accomplished at both ends of the dropside, the latter is very firmly secured to the crib ends and will not rattle even when the child jumps in the crib. It is actually impossible for the child to get the dropside down on his own. He would have to turn the two knobs at the ends of the dropside, lift the dropside against the resistance of the slopes of ramps 52, then pull the knobs outwardly to get heads 73 through their respective keyholes.

In order to lower the dropside, knobs 64 are turned to unclarnp the connector elements, and after the side is raised a little, the knobs are drawn outwardly in the direction away from the crib ends to withdraw heads 73 from the keyholes. When the crib side is lowered, heads 73 slide along the crib surfaces of the base elements until they move into alignment with and enter lower keyholes 54.

When the knobs are tightened at the ends of the dropside, this side becomes a stabilizing structure to ensure maximum rigidity on the entire crib unit. This cuts down the noise factor, which results from loose parts, eliminates the necessity of the stabilizing members normally used in cribs, and is particularly useful if the crib has two dropsides. In addition, the crib can be quickly and easily put together without the necessity of using any tools.

I claim:

1. Securing apparatus for dropside crib comprising an elongated base element to form part of or to be secured in a vertical position on a crib end near a side thereof, a connector element to be secured to a movable crib side and slidably connected to the base element, a keyhole in the base element and formed with a narrow slot extending downwardly from a relatively large opening, a bore in the connector element substantially normal to the base element and positioned to be aligned with the keyhole, a latch pin extending through said bore and having a head on an inner end thereof adapted to pass through said opening, said pin fitting in said slot when the connector element is moved downwardly after the head has been moved through the keyhole opening, and means biasing the pin in the direction of the base element.

2. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the firstmentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot.

3. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a knob on an outer end of said pin by means of which the pin can be drawn outwardly relative to the base element and against the action of said biasing means to draw the head through the keyhole opening after the connector element has been raised to clear the pin from said slot.

4. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including cam means between the knob and the connector element and adapted to draw said head against the base element upon rotation of the knob in one direction while the pin is positioned in the keyhole slot.

5. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the firstmentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot.

6. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a second similar keyhole formed in the base element below and in line with the first-mentioned keyhole.

7. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the firstmentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot and the first head is drawn against the base element.

8. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an elongated track to be secured to said crib end below and substantially in line with the base element, and a slide element to be secured to said outer side below the connector element and slidably connected to said track.

9. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a stop biased outwardly from the track near a lower end thereof to limit downward movement of said slide element on the track.

10. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including an elongated track to be secured to said crib end below and substantially in line with the base element, and a slide element to be secured to said crib side below the connector element and slidably connected to said track.

11. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 10 includ' ing a stop biased outwardly from the track near a lower end thereof to limit downward movement of said slide element on the track.

12. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 includhaving a wedge-shaped socket therein, and upper and a lower wedges to be secured to a second crib side and positioned to fit in the sockets of the upper and lower bases respectively, each wedge fitting snugly in the adjacent base socket when the second crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto.

14. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 includ-,

ing a base to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, said base having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and a wedge to be secured to a second crib side, said wedge being adapted to be inserted in said socket and fitting snugly therein when the second crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto.

15. Securing apparatus as claimedlin claim 8 including upper and lower bases to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, each of said bases having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and upper and lower wedges to be secured to a second crib side and positioned to fit in the sockets of the upper and lower bases respectively, each wedge fitting snugly in the adjacent base socket when the second crib side is move downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto. 

1. Securing apparatus for dropside crib comprising an elongated base element to form part of or to be secured in a vertical position on a crib end near a side thereof, a connector element to be secured to a movable crib side and slidably connected to the base element, a keyhole in the base element and formed with a narrow slot extending downwardly from a relatively large opening, a bore in the connector element substantially normal to the base element and positioned to be aligned with the keyhole, a latch pin extending through said bore and having a head on an inner end thereof adapted to pass through said opening, said pin fiTting in said slot when the connector element is moved downwardly after the head has been moved through the keyhole opening, and means biasing the pin in the direction of the base element.
 2. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the first-mentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot.
 3. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a knob on an outer end of said pin by means of which the pin can be drawn outwardly relative to the base element and against the action of said biasing means to draw the head through the keyhole opening after the connector element has been raised to clear the pin from said slot.
 4. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including cam means between the knob and the connector element and adapted to draw said head against the base element upon rotation of the knob in one direction while the pin is positioned in the keyhole slot.
 5. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the first-mentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot.
 6. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a second similar keyhole formed in the base element below and in line with the first-mentioned keyhole.
 7. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including an inner head on the pin spaced from the first-mentioned head and normally pressed by said biasing means against the base element, and a vertical ramp on the base element and inclined inwardly of said base element in a downward direction and away from the connector element, said keyhole being formed in said ramp, whereby said ramp resists upward movement of the connector element while the pin is in the keyhole slot and the first head is drawn against the base element.
 8. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an elongated track to be secured to said crib end below and substantially in line with the base element, and a slide element to be secured to said outer side below the connector element and slidably connected to said track.
 9. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a stop biased outwardly from the track near a lower end thereof to limit downward movement of said slide element on the track.
 10. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including an elongated track to be secured to said crib end below and substantially in line with the base element, and a slide element to be secured to said crib side below the connector element and slidably connected to said track.
 11. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a stop biased outwardly from the track near a lower end thereof to limit downward movement of said slide element on the track.
 12. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a base to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, said base having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and a wedge to be secured to a second crib side, said wedge being adapted to be inserted in said socket and fitting snugly therein when the second crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto.
 13. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including upper and lower bases to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, each of said bases having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and upper and lower wedges to be secured to a second crib side and positioneD to fit in the sockets of the upper and lower bases respectively, each wedge fitting snugly in the adjacent base socket when the second crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto.
 14. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a base to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, said base having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and a wedge to be secured to a second crib side, said wedge being adapted to be inserted in said socket and fitting snugly therein when the second crib side is moved downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto.
 15. Securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including upper and lower bases to be mounted on said crib end near an opposite side thereof, each of said bases having a wedge-shaped socket therein, and upper and lower wedges to be secured to a second crib side and positioned to fit in the sockets of the upper and lower bases respectively, each wedge fitting snugly in the adjacent base socket when the second crib side is move downwardly relative to the crib end rigidly to secure said second side thereto. 